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President Donald Trump intervened in Folarin Balogun’s red card controversy in the World Cup, calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the controversial decision in the Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a source confirmed to Fox News.
It’s unknown what exactly Trump said to Infantino, who the 45th and 47th president has called a “great leader in sports” and a friend.
The USMNT striker, who has three goals in this World Cup including one prior to his red card in the Round of 32 match, has been cleared to play in a stunning twist of events.
The Athletic, which first reported Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code stated, “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
“If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement,” the rule added.
FIFA MAKES FINAL RULING ON US SOCCER STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN’S CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD SUSPENSION
FIFA confirmed Balogun’s suspension was for a probationary period of one year.
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” U.S. Soccer said. “Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”
Meanwhile, Belgium, which narrowly escaped Senegal in the Round of 32, was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision to allow Balogun the right to play on Monday night. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it will be ” investigating all potential options” to reverse this decision on Balogun.
Team USA manager Mauricio Pochettino and his staff were thinking about how to replace Balogun atop their formation, but now that has all changed, allowing them to run out their regular starting XI against a formidable Belgium squad.
While the USMNT will hope to beat Belgium, and other opponents moving forward, Trump and Infantino will be together at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19 for the World Cup Final. Just as they did last year at the FIFA Club World Cup Final, Trump will hand out the World Cup trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field, which Infantino said on ” Fox & Friends.”
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If the USMNT takes down Belgium on Monday night, they would just be the second team in the country’s history to reach the quarterfinals. They would also face the winner of Portugal and Spain if they can take care of Belgium first.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
